Our History

Ruann L. Wood, CEO, B.S., RID: NIC-Advanced | SC:L Pre-Certified founded Visual Communication Interpreting, Inc. (previously a sole-proprietorship) on July 7, of 2007 and incorporated in May 2012. Ruann is married 30 years to Gregory Wood (on the board of directors). After spending 20 years as a military family, Greg retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2006 and the Wood family (three children, a dog and a cat) relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee all the way from Portland, Oregon.

Ruann never dreamed that a single business class and one business plan prepared while in school at Portland Community College would turn into owning an interpreting agency. God was serious when He said he “uses the foolish to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27). However, the Bible says in Psalm 37:4 that He gives His children the desires of their heart. One day Ruann was laying sick in bed with a repetitive motion shoulder/elboy injury caused by interpreting long hours in a video relay interpreting setting. While there she prayed to the Lord for a holy promotion. She knew that what she was doing was God’s will in her life but the location she was interpreting at was a place she dreaded going to daily. She knew God’s path was something so much more which is why she asked for a Holy Promotion. A week later the opportunity to acquire LINC (Language Interpreting Network Consulting – owned and operated by certified interpreter Beth Foreman) presented itself and that is where VCI started.

A shout out to Loren and Jessica Frick, two deaf individuals (currently residing in Georgia), for the name Visual Communication Interpreting (VCI). At a picnic table outside the Baptist Collegiate Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee back in June 2007, Ruann shared with them that she was in the process of acquiring LINC. The three sat down and brainstormed potential names. The discussion was spirited because of a few constraints. It was critical to avoid utilizing the word Knoxville so our service area was not limited. We did not want to include the word Deaf because the agency would serve both hearing and deaf people. And the agency signature colors could not be orange (overused in Tennessee), purple (overused in the profession), and red/yellow (reserved for fast food and other retail outlets). After a long conversation exchanging ideas, deliberations via email about what would easily roll off “the hands” in sign language, and a good overnight sleep, name Visual Communication Interpreting, VCI came to fruition with signature colors royal blue and lime green.

Ruann’s vision for the agency was clear. She would run an agency that would raise the bar and set a new standard for professional sign language interpreting services in East Tennessee. Excellence, integrity, and sound business policies remain the foundation of this agency. Although many interpreting agencies send interns or non-certified interpreters for assignments they are unqualified to perform, Ruann envisioned an agency that consistently provides customers and clients with certified interpreters that possess skill, commitment to confidentiality, education, and adhere to strict ethical standards.

Ruann’s vision is now her reality. VCI has an incredible team of interpreting professionals from the greater Knoxville and surrounding areas. They ensure the very best interpretations for all parties. They respect all individuals in every interaction. They vow confidentiality across the board and conduct themselves as professionals every day. Many East Tennessee businesses trust VCI as their preferred sign language interpreting serve provider because they know our name is synonymous with certification, confidentiality, professionalism, dependability and integrity. Every customer, deaf client, and interpreting request/assignment is a gift from God. We are thankful for every opportunity to serve the community and the general public. VCI exists as a testament to what God has done and continues to do in the lives of our staff, professional interpreters, customers, and clients.